The Preacher's Post

Have you ever got up in the morning (of course you have), got up and felt discouraged and overwhelmed with the day you had to face?  To be honest I feel like that often.  Being a husband, father, pastor (lots of hats there) friend etc brings a lot of responsibilities and challenges.  Now of course there are blessings and great joy that come as well.  But let’s face it life is hard and if we do not have a hope beyond ourselves (our feeble flesh)–a real help in times of trouble we are in BIG trouble!

Psalm 46:1-3 says, ” God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, thoughthe mountains shake with the swelling thereof.”  Life will get tough, there will be trouble, it gets scary at times, it will get a bit “shaky”, the waves will “roar” and make us feel overwhelmed.  But if you know Jesus Christ, if He is your Savior and you are God’s child then YOU HAVE HOPE!  You have a real help–a present help for your life! 

We had quite an exciting and busy week at Emmanuel!  

• We had worship services!
• Sunday school classes!
• Praise team Practice!
• Ladies Bible Study!
• A men’s prayer breakfast!
• A spring clean-up!
• And we even had a fish fry! 

The christian life can truly be fun and filled with the joy and love of Christ!  Jesus said in John 15:11, “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”  As believers in Christ we can really have this kind of joy and fulfillment.  It comes from a close walk with Him and then sharing the Christ life with other church members and others in our community and beyond! 

Oh by the way, Easter is coming real soon. It’s this Sunday!  Who will you compel to come and join us?  Be sure to invite your family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, even strangers to come so they too can know the One who can give them eternal life and real joy! Let’s pray and get out there and do some inviting this week!

God blessed us with a good weekend at Emmanuel!  We had Easter outreach with the teens on Saturday.  The teens really enjoyed themselves as they passed out Easter invites in a sub-division near the church.  Bro Eddie Stevenson and I were able to share the Gospel of Christ with some families as well!  It was a good day.

We had a good Sunday also.  I encouraged our folks to pray and pass out the new Easter invites to their friends, family, neighbors–really anyone they bump into!  Unfortunately our sound system crashed.  Thank goodness I have leather lungs–no need for a mic.  One of our teen girls willingly played the piano for us and the service went well.  God is already working and providing help to fix our sound system!  God blessed the message on Sunday too.  Several people came and prayed at the alter during the invitation. PTL!

Well, welcome to my new blog Mike Ramondetta live!  I am so excited to share what’s happening at Emmanuel Baptist church and in the Ramondetta family.

• I have been Senior (the only) pastor here now for almost a year and a half! (The Baptist Curve)
• We have been Glen St Mary (neighboring city) residents now for over 9 months!
• We love living in the country!
• We have enjoyed getting to know our church family and serving Jesus with them!
• I have caught a lot (yes a lot) of fish in the river across from my house and I have pictures to prove it! 
• I have preached a lot of sermons and taught a lot of lessons since I’ve been here!                   (Almost 300–the Baptist Curve again)
• Easter Sunday (4-24) is coming soon.  Hope you can join us!
• Keep up with me on twitter too!